Category: Seychelles

It is the yuletide and while some people are saving and planning on travelling to their hometowns (Igbo Kwenu!!), some who can afford are travelling to western countries to oppress others on social media with their beautiful pictures and videos. But some of these western places are in winter and it may not be as […]

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A recent monitoring programme on the reef of the Aldabra atoll has shown an increase in coral cover but a decline in fish numbers, an official of the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) said. The coral cover, which is the percentage of reef that is covered by hard stony corals, showed a 51 percent increase in the fifth monitoring.

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The Seychelles’ coco de mer is the stuff of legend. It is one of the many wonders of the island nation and considered as a giant in the plant kingdom.

The coco de mer grows naturally only on two of Seychelles’ islands. On Praslin, the second most populated island, in the Vallee de Mai special reserve which is also one of the island nation’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, and on Curieuse, located very close to Praslin.

SNA looks at 4 botanical records of the coco de mer.

World’s biggest nut

The most renowned feature of the coco de mer is its enormous fruit which is the largest in the plant world. The fruit takes between 6 to 10 years to mature and is generally two-lobed but may have four or even six lobes. It typically reaches a size of 40–50 cm in diameter.

World’s heaviest nut

The fruit of the coco de mer typically weighs between 15 to 30 kg. The largest fruit recorded weighed 42 kg making it the world’s heaviest nut.

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The World Heritage Centre has taken due note of concerns expressed by numerous citizens and NGOs regarding the recent agreement signed between Seychelles and India to establish a naval base on Assumption Island, located some 27 km from Aldabra Atoll World Heritage property (Seychelles). UNESCO appreciates the commitment of these stakeholders to the safeguarding of this World Heritage site.

Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982, Aldabra is one of the largest atolls in the world, with an ecosystem that provides an outstanding natural laboratory for studying evolutionary and ecological processes. The atoll is home to the largest giant tortoise population in the world. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, the entire atoll has remained largely untouched by humans until the present time.

The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an advisory body to the World Heritage Committee, are fully aware of the concerns raised and have been closely following the matter with the competent authorities of the State Party of the Seychelles. The project is being monitored according to the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

Seychelles on Wednesday announced an area of ocean the size of Great Britain that will be newly protected from overfishing, pollution, and unplanned development to guard against climate change while not slowing economic progress.

American actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio was among those involved in the development.

“The two new areas for protection and management together cover a total area of just over 200,000 square kilometres or 16 percent of Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone,” said Didier Dogley, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change.

The first marine protected area includes 74,400 square kilometres of waters surrounding the extremely isolated Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that has remained largely untouched by people.

The second covers 136,000 square kilometers of a commercially important stretch of ocean between the Amirantes group of coral islands and Fortune Bank.

The Marine Protected Areas are the first milestones in a six-year process that will end in 2020 with 30 percent of Seychelles’ ocean safeguarded, as part of a new comprehensive Marine Spatial Plan for all of the country’s waters.

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For visitors to Seychelles interested in exploring special reserves and protected areas, Seychelles’ two World Heritage Sites sites are places that warrant a slot on your to-do list.

Both properties are legally protected under national legislation and managed by a public trust, the Seychelles Islands Foundation, with daily operations guided by a management.

Aldabra Atoll

A World Heritage Site since 1982, the Aldabra Atoll is an outstanding example of a raised coral atoll. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, it has remained largely untouched by humans for the majority of its existence.

Aldabra is one of the largest atolls in the world and contains one of the most important natural habitats for studying evolutionary and ecological processes. It is home to the largest giant tortoise population in the world. The richness and diversity of the ocean and landscapes result in an array of colours and formations that contribute to the atoll’s scenic and aesthetic appeal.

Getting there

As a remote and fragile atoll over 1,000 km southwest of the main island of Mahe, there are significant logistical challenges in getting to Aldabra.

India wants a military base on Aldabra. Aldabra is the world’s second-largest coral atoll. The site has been designated UNESCO World Heritage List status, which means it’s of outstanding value, meeting the strict criteria set out by the United Nations’ specialized agency. It fulfils three of the organisation’s guidelines – it contains superb natural phenomena; superlative on-going ecological and biological processes; and significant natural habitats to conserve biological diversity.

Thanks to its remote location in the Indian Ocean, Aldabra Atoll remains unspoiled by human influence and provides an excellent example of natural habitat where evolutionary and ecological processes can be studied.

“These pristine islands must not be sacrificed to military and geopolitical interests. Please sign our petition to the government of the Seychelles and UNESCO to protect Aldabra Atoll” said former Seychelles Minister of Tourism Alain St. Ange.

Extremely isolated, Aldabra is almost untouched by humans. Aldabra atoll is closer to the coast of Africa 630 km (390 mi) than to Mahé, and is in the most southwesterly part of the Seychelles.

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Located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Seychelles are a group of 115 islands that are basically the definition of paradise. White sand beaches, warm turquoise water, giant tortoises, and all the palm trees await you there.

And while the Seychelles are most often associated with honeymoons (Prince William and Kate Middleton vacationed here after their 2011 marriage), the truth is that there’s SO much more to the Seychelles than just romantic beach resorts.

In fact, to truly experience these islands, you really need at least a week in Seychelles.

Lucky you, though, that I’ve put together the perfect itinerary for one week in the Seychelles! Here’s everything I think you should do with a week in this island paradise.

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